Yasmany Tomas

Tomas suffered a strained oblique in March, and it's fair to wonder if he was ever completely healthy as a hip injury sidelined him in May before a groin injury eventually ended his season in July when he failed to make it through a rehab assignment. In August, Tomas had core surgery, and it's expected that he will be completely recovered in time for the start of spring training in February. Although he's just a year removed from a 31-homer campaign, the D-backs' current front office regime is not the one that signed him for $68.5 million prior to the 2015 season and their moves over the winter suggest Tomas is not a big part of the plan entering 2018. That 2016 power surge came with gaudy numbers against left-handed pitching (.364/.423/.690), but modest marks against righties (.242/.276/.449), and considering that he's a liability in left field, he may be viewed simply as a sunk cost.

Tomas, dubbed "El Tanque" (Spanish for "The Tank"), showed in 2016 why he's picked up that nickname. The 26-year-old Cuban blasted 31 home runs and posted a .508 slugging percentage in his second MLB season. His .236 ISO was among the top 25 in the league, and right in line with sluggers Robinson Cano and Mike Trout. Fantasy owners probably would've liked more than the 83 RBI they got from Tomas, but he will likely slot into the middle of a lineup that will feature a healthy A.J. Pollock in 2017, so he could build on that number. Tomas offers very little in the stolen-base department (he had just two in six attempts last season), but his power makes him plenty useful. Entering his third MLB season, Tomas offers a solid floor with some upside, and he figures to be a viable option after some of the bigger-name power hitters are gone in drafts.

The Diamondbacks made a splash prior to the 2015 season, signing the 24-year-old Tomas out of Cuba for six years and $68 million. Surprisingly, he started the season at Triple-A Reno after losing the starting third base job out of spring training to Jake Lamb. Tomas wasn’t in the minors long, however, as he joined the Diamondbacks on April 15. Playing for an injured Lamb at third and later as part of an outfield rotation, Tomas posted decent numbers at first but later unraveled. It’s expected that Tomas will display more power as he matures, so more run production should come. Ender Inciarte was moved to Atlanta in the offseason, creating an opening for Tomas, as the Diamondbacks seem intent to collect some return on investment. Look for him to open the year as the primary option in left field.

Tomas defected from Cuba last summer and signed a six-year, $68.5 million contract with the Diamondbacks in November. At 6-1, 220 pounds, Tomas is seen having outstanding power, but most scouts believe he's a tad behind fellow Cuban defector Jose Abreu in both power and pedigree. However, Tomas is three years younger than Abreu. Tomas was one of Cuba's top players and hit .375 (6-of-16) with two home runs in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He hit .289/.364/.538 with 15 home runs in 284 at-bats in 2012-13 for Industriales of the Serie Nacional, but took a step back in 2013-14 by hitting .290/.346/.450 with six home runs in 257 at-bats in a season that was impacted by a wrist injury, according to Baseball America. Tomas struggled at times in international competitions and there are fears he may not be able to handle MLB breaking balls, but there were similar concerns about Abreu before last year. Tomas will get a shot to win the third base job, but more likely plays left or right field for Arizona. He should be a fixture in the starting lineup at either position.